Within the next few weeks, chess players from six Sharyland campuses will be competing at the national level.

Ivan Karr, chess coordinator for the Sharyland school district, announced that chess players from Pioneer and Sharyland High School, B.L. Gray and Sharyland North Junior High School and John H. Shary and Wernecke Elementary Schools qualified for the national competition after placing in the top two spots in their respective divisions at the State Chess Tournament that was held at Edinburg North earlier this month.

According to Karr, at least 60 students will be competing at the national level. The elementary students will be competing in Nashville, TN from Friday, May 11 through Sunday, May 13. Middle school students will be competing at Atlanta, GA from Friday, April 6 through Sunday, April 8. High school students will compete in Columbus, OH from Friday, April 27 through Sunday, April 29.

“I’m extremely proud of all the campuses, coaches and students that support the program to give our students this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel and compete in a prestigious competition,” Karr said. “They will compete against students from all over the nation, we’re very thankful for everyone involved in the chess program.”

However, Karr noted that each campus is responsible for raising funds for the trip. As a result, the district is accepting donations to raise at least $1,000 per student which should cover a student’s airfare, hotel and food, Karr said.

“We’re also doing campus-based fundraising such as snack sales or dances and talent shows where proceeds from those events will go toward the chess team,” Karr said. “We are also sending out donation letters to the community but donations can also be sent out to me or at campuses by talking to the chess coordinator at each school.”

Karr said in the past, the district has been successful in raising funds to send students to their competitions and he hopes this year won’t be any different.

“We’d love for the community to come together and support our chess program and the students with any donation they can provide,” he said. “It’s a lot of money for a lot of kids so they can experience a once in a lifetime opportunity, but it’s worth it.”